As for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart. You don’t know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable.
—The Wizard to the Tin Man, The Wizard of Oz, Frank L. Baum
Give me a heart that breaks
when I see how cruel the world can be
and hands that extend toward others.
Give me eyes that weep when I feel
the beauty of home, and
lips to speak love, to apologize.
Give me courage to say what must be said
and ears to hear what I’d rather not hear
and eyes that will not turn the other way
from anyone in need.
And give me a brain that is wired
for helpfulness and compassion
and generosity. And give me
a heart that breaks, and grows
bigger in the breaking.